The basic principles behind a motorcycle have remained largely the same since the first two-wheelers emerged, but motorcycles have still evolved a lot since their motorized bicycle days.
Over the years, manufacturers have churned out countless models, but only a select few can be considered game-changers.
The following bikes aren’t the only models that had a huge impact on the motorcycle industry, but they are some of the most important.
Brough Superior SS100
Every Brough Superior SS100 was built specifically to the buyer’s request and needs, and the level of craftsmanship was of such a high standard that Rolls-Royce allowed them to market it as “the Rolls-Royce of motorcycles.”
Powered by a 990cc air-cooled V-twin engine, the SS100 produced 48hp and was sold with a certificate signed by George Brough, the company’s founder, guaranteeing that it’s faster than 100 mph. By 1928, it managed 130 mph in the standing kilometer. T.E. Lawrence, better known as Lawrence of Arabia, owned several Broughs. He died from head injuries after crashing his SS100 while swerving to avoid cyclists. His death inspired neurosurgeon Hugh Cairns to study motorcycle head trauma, research that eventually led to widespread adoption of crash helmets and, decades later, compulsory helmet laws.
Vincent Black Shadow
Long before superbikes were an actual thing, the Vincent Black Shadow was the world’s fastest production motorcycle. It was built from 1948 until 1955, and thanks to its 55-hp, 998cc V-twin engine, it could reach a top speed of 125 mph. The engine was mounted to the frame as a stressed member, eliminating the need for a downtube cradle.
The legendary Hunter S. Thompson refers to the Vincent Black Shadow several times in his book Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. He wrote, “If you rode the Black Shadow at top speed for any length of time, you would almost certainly die. That is why there are not many life members of the Vincent Black Shadow Society.”
Honda Super Cub
The Honda C100 Super Cub certainly isn’t among the fastest bikes, but it is the best-selling motorcycle ever, with over 100 million bikes sold so far.
It uses a simple 49cc pushrod engine that’s practically bulletproof and barely sips fuel, has a pressed steel-spine-type frame, and it’s so simple to ride that practically anyone can do it. In 1960, Honda even added an electric starter, making it even more appealing to the masses. Honda marketed it with the slogan “You meet the nicest people on a Honda,” which had a huge impact on Honda’s image and even affected Americans’ attitude towards motorcycling.
Honda CB750
In 1969, Honda introduced the CB750, a bike that’s often credited as the world’s first superbike. Unlike the British single-cylinder and parallel-twin bikes, and the American V-twins, the CB750 had a transverse-mounted, overhead camshaft, inline-4 engine. The public soon discovered that it ran smoother than any other bike on the market.
It also had an electric starter, a kill switch, and front-mounted disc brakes, long before they became mainstream. To make things even better, it was even low maintenance. The CB750 was the first motorcycle referred to as UJM (Universal Japanese Motorcycle), and it skyrocketed Honda into greatness.
BMW R80G/S
BMW has dominated the adventure motorcycle segment for years with its GS lineup. The German motorcycle manufacturer wasn’t always the giant that it is today, though.
Motorcycle enthusiasts were confused when BMW released the R80G/S in 1980. After all, trail bikes were supposed to be lightweight, and the R80G/S was massive compared to the off-roaders of the era. BMW convinced potential buyers of its greatness when the R80G/S won the Paris-Dakar rally, and combined with the bike’s excellent comfort, it changed the motorcycle landscape forever. This is the Genesis of BMW’s GS lineup.
Suzuki GSX-R750
Suzuki changed the race replica street bike game forever when the GSX-R750 was unveiled in 1985. This bike is the reason you can now walk into a dealership and ride out on a fully-faired, lightweight, 200hp sportbike that looks just like the ones you see racing on TV.
Suzuki used all its racing expertise when creating the GSX-R 750. Its box-section aluminum frame, compact, high-revving, oil-cooled four-cylinder engine, and all the tech, were all derived from the brand’s existing race bikes. It was an immediate hit on both the street and racetrack, turning the Gixxer 750 into one of the icons of the motorcycling world.
Ducati Monster
Ducati’s Monster was among the first naked “hooligan” bikes, a segment that’s now populated by countless models, including KTM’s Duke series and Yamaha’s MTs. It was also the model that saved Ducati from bankruptcy, as it was a parts bin special that was cheap to develop, and the Italian manufacturer has sold hundreds of thousands of Monsters over the years.
With engines ranging from 400cc to 998cc, there was a first-gen Monster available for every skill level. While there are fewer options today, the Monster is still one of Ducati’s bestsellers and one of the major influencers in the naked bike segment.
Honda CBR900RR FireBlade
Like the Suzuki GSX-R750 before it, Honda’s CBR900RR FireBlade revolutionized the superbike segment when it arrived in 1992. Sportbikes were getting bloated and increasingly terrifying to ride, as manufacturers kept adding power and weight.
The FireBlade not only cut weight drastically compared to other superbikes, it was also physically smaller, packing a 893cc engine’s punch in a 600’s body. It was nimbler and more agile than the competition, making them seem like bloated dinosaurs in comparison.
Yamaha YZF-R1
All the manufacturers were playing catch up when Honda unleashed the FireBlade, and it remained at the top of the totem pole until the Yamaha R1 arrived in 1998. Yamaha’s new superbike offered performance that was unheard of for road-legal production motorcycles at the time and became the new yardstick.
Yamaha designer Kunihiko Miwa said the R1 was the first “no compromise superbike.” Thanks to innovative solutions and “tighter packaging,” the R1 forever changed how sportbikes were designed and what we expect from them.
Suzuki GSX1300R Hayabusa
For years, Japanese motorcycle manufacturers were locked in a battle between speed and power. In the late 1990s, Honda’s CBR1100XX Blackbird was the fastest motorcycle on the market, but everything changed when Suzuki released the Hayabusa.
The Hayabusa was named after the Peregrine falcon, a bird that can reach a 200 mph top speed during its dive attacks and just happens to eat Blackbirds. Well played, Suzuki, well played. At this point, the Japanese companies feared their bikes would be banned in Europe if they continued down this route. They entered a gentleman’s agreement, and Japanese motorcycles were restricted from exceeding 186 mph.
